We continue our division-by-division look at the 2026 NFL Draft, breaking down how each team performed, with grades and a quick look ahead.
The NFC South was underwhelming last season. No team finished with a winning record, yet only the Saints picked inside the top 10. Atlanta was in the toughest spot, entering the draft with just six selections.
That lack of draft capital showed. With limited flexibility, several teams were forced into reaches to address key needs. Some of those decisions make sense in context, while others are harder to justify.
Here’s how the NFC South stacks up.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round 1 (No. 15): EDGE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
Round 2 (No. 46): LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri
Round 3 (No. 84): WR Ted Hurst, Georgia Tech
Round 4 (No. 116): CB Keionte Scott, Miami
Round 5 (No. 155): DT DeMonte Capeheart, Clemson
Round 5 (No. 160): OG Billy Schrauth, Notre Dame
Round 6 (No. 185): TE Bauer Sharp, LSU
The Bucs needed a pass rusher, but few expected Ruben Bain Jr. to be there at No. 15. Concerns about his arm length fade quickly when you watch how he plays. Bain brings relentless power and urgency, consistently bending, swimming, and driving through blockers. He also holds up well against the run, making him a true three-down presence. Letting him slide only adds fuel, and that could prove dangerous for opposing offenses.
Tampa Bay also improved its run defense with Josiah Trotter. A downhill, instinctive linebacker, Trotter diagnoses quickly and closes with speed. He is a reliable finisher who rarely misses tackles and brings a physical edge to the middle of the defense. Coverage remains a limitation, but that can be managed within the broader structure of the unit.
The later rounds offer less immediate impact, though Ted Hurst and Keionte Scott stand out. Hurst won’t replicate Mike Evans’ production immediately, but his size and leaping ability are intriguing. Scott is an underrated outside corner with blitzing ability, which could add another layer to Tampa’s defensive approach.
The Buccaneers hit it big with their first two selections, and that alone gives this class a strong foundation. Even if the depth pieces are more developmental, the overall return here is impressive.
Grade: A
New Orleans Saints
Round 1 (No. 8): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Round 2 (No. 42): DT Christen Miller, Georgia
Round 3 (No. 73): TE Oscar Delp, Georgia
Round 4 (No. 132): OG Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
Round 4 (No. 136): WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
Round 5 (No. 172): S Lorenzo Styles Jr., Ohio State
Round 6 (No. 190): WR Barion Brown, LSU
Round 7 (No. 219): CB TJ Hall, Iowa
*Also acquired EDGE Tyree Wilson from Las Vegas Raiders
New Orleans made a clear effort to build around Tyler Shough, starting with Jordyn Tyson. When healthy, Tyson brings as much talent as any receiver in this class. He runs a full route tree, catches everything in his radius, and has the athleticism to separate or create after the catch. He can win in space or through contact and positions his body well on contested targets. The concern is durability. A history of hamstring, ankle, and knee injuries creates real long-term questions.
The two Georgia additions should provide immediate help. Christen Miller is a versatile defensive tackle who can line up across the front and disrupt both the run and pass. He plays with force and consistency, which should help stabilize a defensive line that was uneven last season. Oscar Delp, meanwhile, offers upside as a pass-catching tight end. He was not fully featured at Georgia, but he shows strong awareness working the middle of the field and has the tools to expand his role.
The Saints brought in even more potential weapons for Shough with the selections of Bryce Lance and Barion Brown. Lance brings size and can contribute as an outside option in specific packages. Brown is more of a situational player with value on special teams, though he has the quickness to see some work in the slot. The rest of the class leans toward depth and development.
New Orleans addressed its biggest need by overhauling the receiver room, but the overall ceiling of the class depends heavily on Tyson staying on the field and a few of the mid-round pieces taking a step forward.
Grade: B+
Carolina Panthers
Round 1 (No. 19): OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Round 2 (No. 49): DT Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Round 3 (No. 83): WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee
Round 4 (No. 129): CB Will Lee III, Texas A&M
Round 5 (No. 144): C Sam Hecht, Kansas State
Round 5 (No. 151): S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State
Round 7 (No. 227): LB Jackson Kuwatch, Miami (Ohio)
The Panthers wasted no time addressing their biggest need, taking Monroe Freeling early. He only started 18 games in college, but was outstanding this past season, allowing just seven pressures and earning second-team All-SEC honors. At 6-foot-7, 315 pounds, he moves well and holds up in pass protection. The concern comes in the run game, where he can play too high and lose leverage.
Carolina also looked to shore up the defensive front. Lee Hunter is a prototypical nose tackle with the ability to disrupt in the backfield. He posted 33.5 tackles for loss last season, the most in FBS since 2023. His burst and hand usage stand out, and he offers more as a pass rusher than most players at his position.
Chris Brazzell II has the size to play outside but brings enough speed to move around the formation. Will Lee II is a long corner who could factor into the rotation down the line, though speed is a concern. Hecht and Wheatley will need some work to contribute at the next level, and Kuwatch is definitely more of a late-round flyer.
Overall, this is a decent class that brings in key pieces while potentially adding depth for the future.
Grade: B-
Atlanta Falcons
Round 2 (No. 48): CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Round 3 (No. 79): WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia
Round 4 (No. 134): LB Kendal Daniels, Oklahoma
Round 6 (No. 208): DT Anterio Thompson, Washington
Round 6 (No. 215): LB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Round 7 (No. 231): OT Ethan Onianwa, Ohio State
With only six selections and no first-round pick, Atlanta put together a respectable class. Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of A.J. Terrell, profiles as one of the better zone corners in this group. He is a quick, instinctive ballhawk with a knack for creating turnovers, highlighted by eight forced fumbles during his time at Clemson. His size limits him in press coverage, but he has the movement skills to match up with smaller receivers and hold his own in space.
Atlanta’s receiving corps needed help alongside Drake London, particularly in terms of speed and playmaking. Zachariah Branch brings both. At 5-foot-9, 179 pounds, he is undersized, but he plays with no hesitation and is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He also adds value as a returner. For Branch to reach his ceiling, increased strength and an improved route tree will be critical.
Harold Perkins Jr. could end up being the gem of this class. Once viewed as a potential first-round talent, injuries and an inconsistent role hurt his stock. If he regains his earlier form, Atlanta may have found a long-term contributor. Kendal Daniels, Anterio Thompson, and Ethan Onianwa round out the class as athletic, developmental options who may need time before seeing meaningful snaps.
Atlanta hit some key areas, but with limited draft capital, the overall impact of this class is capped.
Grade: C+
AFC East
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
NFC East
NFC North
NFC South
NFC West
If this was your kind of read, you’ll like what’s next. Get The Sandman Ticket, our free, weekly newsletter with picks, insights, and a little bit of everything we love about sports.
